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London Heathrow Terminal 5

Enjoy a seamless journey through the airport. With stylish shops, restaurants and luxurious lounges, Terminal 5 will change the way you fly forever.

Whether you’re departing, arriving, connecting or want to know how to get to and from Terminal 5, you will find all the information you need on this page. Maps to help you find your way around the airport are available on the Heathrow website.

British Airways flights also operate to and from London Heathrow Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, as well as London City and London Gatwick airports. Check which London airport and terminal your British Airways flight will depart from or arrive into.

Departures

The departures area is located on the top floor of Terminal 5 and the following times must be met to ensure you do not miss your flight:

Check in no later than 45 minutes before your flight departs

Enter Security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs

Be at the boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight departs

If you are flying to a destination outside of Europe or to Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev or Tripoli, we need to check your passport and visa before you enter security. This ensures we have checked that you are ready to fly and are carrying the correct passport and travel documents. If you check in at one of our check-in desks or take your checked baggage to a Bag Drop, we will do this for you as part of the process. If you have checked in online and are travelling with hand baggage only then you will need to visit one of our check-in or Bag Drop desks before proceeding to security.

You must enter airport security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs.

Fast Track security lanes are available to:

Customers travelling in First, Club World, Club Europe or Business UK (plus one guest)

Executive Club Gold and Silver Members (plus one guest)

oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members

If you are travelling to a UK or Republic of Ireland destination, a digital photograph of you will be taken at airport security. When boarding the flight, the photograph will be checked. Once checks are complete, all photographs will be deleted.

Terminal 5 is made up of three buildings, Terminal 5A, Terminal 5B and Terminal 5C. B Gates and C Gates are accessed via the transit train or a moving walkway and it takes approximately 20 minutes to get to either.

Gate information at Heathrow airport becomes available shortly before the flight opens. Please check the information screens at regular intervals and make sure that you are at the gate no later than 20 minutes before the flight departs. If you have the BA iPhone app you can have gate notifications pushed through directly to your mobile.

Your time at the airport

There are lots of things to do at the airport before your flight departs. Whether it’s duty free shopping, relaxing in the lounges, picking up last minute essentials, keeping the children entertained or catching up on emails using the free Wi-Fi, you can certainly make the most of your time.

Terminal 5 has five elegant departures lounges located in Terminal 5A and Terminal 5B. If your flight departs from Terminal 5C, please use the lounges in Terminal 5A or 5B, ensuring you leave the lounge at least 40 minutes before your departure time so you don't miss your flight.

If you require additional support when leaving the aircraft, we will try to let you disembark as soon as possible but for safety reasons this could take up to 20 minutes.

If your wheelchair is in the hold, we will make every effort to return it to you as close to the aircraft door as we can. If that’s not possible, we will make sure there is a wheelchair available to assist you to the baggage reclaim area.

Once you have your baggage, you may need to pass through customs. More information on allowances and restrictions can be found on posters in the Arrivals hall. For more detailed information before you travel, please see the GOV.UK website

If you're travelling in First or Club World, or are an Executive Club Gold Member travelling on a long haul flight, please feel free to visit the Galleries Arrivals lounge. It is situated on the first floor of the main terminal building (Terminal 5A) and can be accessed using the green lift.

Here you can freshen up with an invigorating power shower, help yourself to delicious food and drink or prepare for work. You can also enjoy a complimentary treatment at the Elemis Travel Spa while the valet service presses your suit, ensuring you leave looking as good as you feel.

The lounge is open from 05.00 to 14.00.

Flight connections

If you have an onward flight you can find out more about connecting at London Heathrow on our flight connections page.

Coaches

National Express operates a network of services each day to and from London Heathrow airport. Unlike other coach operators, National Express will take you to the heart of Terminal 5 from towns and cities throughout the UK, making getting to the airport hassle-free.

It's a safe, fast and reliable way to travel.

Heathrow to Gatwick coach services run 80 times a day, and the journey takes up to an hour.

Book your return tickets now to ensure a great fare or book an open ticket for more flexibility.

London Underground

London Heathrow airport is on the Piccadilly underground line, which takes passengers into central London in around 50 minutes. Trains run every few minutes, but not 24 hours and there are constant improvement works taking place, especially at the weekend, so always check the service before you travel.

Taxi

Terminal 5 is on the Western Perimeter Road and has its own separate access road, reached from junction 14 of the M25 (if you're coming from the M4, exit at junction 4b and follow the M25 south to junction 14). The postcode for satellite navigation is TW6 2GA. If you are meeting someone from an arriving flight you must use the Short Stay Car Park or if you are bringing someone to the airport follow the signs for 'Departures' to drop them off.

Make your journey easier with our parking partners. Leave your car at a nearby car park with quick transfers, drop it off right outside the terminal with valet parking, or combine an overnight stay with parking and transfers at an airport hotel.

Special assistance

If you need additional help for your journey, e.g. for getting through the airport, boarding the aircraft, or reaching your onward travel connections, please let us know at least 48 hours before you travel through Manage My Booking and we can arrange this for you.

Help points can be found:

Before Security: in all Long and Short Stay car parks, in the terminal forecourt and check-in Zone G in Departures

After Security: British Airways Dover Room opposite Harrods

The Lichfield Suite (Changing Places) offers additional facilities for travellers with more severe physical or learning disabilities, e.g. a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, hoist and showers. It is located in Terminal 5A opposite Gate 20 and 21.